Mexico has removed tariffs onpork and other products as the pilot cross-border trucking programme progresses after a long delay.

The first Mexican truck to deliver goods in the US under the programme was scheduled to enter the country shortly after midday October 21.

President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon reached an agreement in March that resulted in a 50% reduction in the duties. Now, with the first truck moving across the border, duties on pork and pork skins are completely eliminated.

"This is a great victory for the US meat and poultry industry," said AMI President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle. "Mexico is a vital trading partner and this pilot programme will allow US pork producers and producers of other products affected by the retaliatory tariffs to regain their competitive positions and market shares in Mexico and recover jobs lost because of the decline in exports."